System for Simulating Real Life Moving Targets for Gun Shooting Training

ABSTRACT

A target system simulating moving real life targets for gun shooting training including in combination a laser transmitter device attached to an oscillator device. The laser transmitter device attached by means of an adjustable bracket to an arm of the oscillator device provides a laser beam presentation which is curved, arched, rising or falling at an angle which simulates trap, skeet, clay targets, a driven bird, jumping teal or chandelle. The arm of the oscillator device provides continuous backward and forward movement at varying frequencies combined with the adjustable bracket providing varying angle and height positions of the laser transmitter device in communication with the oscillator device resulting in unpredictable laser beam presentations simulating real life targets in shooting sports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to simulating real moving targets. More specifically, it relates to a laser system capable of simulating realistic flight presentations of targets seers in sporting gun shooting such as skeets, traps, clay pigeons or live birds.

The present invention relates to a system capable of providing a laser beam presentation that simulates real life moving targets for sport gun shooting, training or entertainment. The present invention comprises in combination a laser transmitter devices in communication with a oscillating device that emits a laser beam presentation which is curved, arched, rising or failing at an angle that simulates real life targets used in shooting sports such as street trap shooting, sporting clays or live bird shooting. An adjustable bracket attaching the laser device to the oscillating device enables positioning of the laser device at multiple heights and angles causing the variable laser beam presentations.

The system of simulating real life targets replicates, rest field conditions which may be used in your home or any other convenient location without the use of complex computer programs or projectors.

Simulating real field conditions by providing unpredictable laser beam presentations allows the shooter to perfect their gun mounts and swings in addition to improving their accuracy and hand eye coordination. The present invention provides a curved rather than straight laser beam presentation and unpredictable presentations improving efficiency and training in shooting at simulated targets from unpredictable starting points and variable flight patterns.

The present invention raises the level of difficulty of your practice shooting end increases your ability to hit challenging targets. The combination of the laser projector end oscillating mechanism, may be activated by voice command or in a continuous loop.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Training in marksmanship and tactics is preferred where shooters can fire simulated projectiles against simulated moving targets. A system that provides realistic moving targets and simulates real field conditions are useful in improving efficiency in hitting the subject targets. Becoming proficient and familiar with their weapons and acquiring skills, such as reaction time, for shooting targets moving at unpredictable patterns are desired for all types of gun shooting. In the prior art, various devices disclose simulated moving targets as an element of the invention to address this need. Most of the prior art systems are complex involving single or multiple video projectors and complex operating computer systems. The present system discloses emission of moving targets simulating realistic field conditions that can be used anywhere with very minimal set-up., maintenance or break down, and minimal manufacturing and operating cost. The present invention is extremely simple and economical, yet highly effective and fulfills the needs addressed above.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,568 B1 (Hull, et al), U.S. Pat. No. 3,471,945 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,502,333 (G. K. Fleury) disclose self-contained reusable targets having teem sensors and hit indicators simulating trap or skeet clay targets which replace the day targets made from materials such as calcium carbonate. These targets need to be launched by traditional launching devices and required that they be retrieved after launching. The appropriate practice sites to accommodate this device is necessary as the day targets are manually launched.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,991 (Simpson et ah discloses a target image projector mounted for universal movement so as to be capable of moving the projected target image-over a screen. The target image projector consists of one or more mirrors moveable in response to a system of cams and wires or servo-motors to provide movement over the screen.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,877,893 B2 discloses a training simulator consisting of the use of a TV camera and a system of mirrors and other optical and electrical devices.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,374 (Hendry et al.) discloses a target image projector mounted on a carriage which is motor-driven so that the image traverses the screen in a predetermined manner.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,651 (Pardes et al.) discloses a realistic moving target scene projected by a moving picture projector or slide projector on a screen.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,486 B2 (Ivovskiy) discloses video projectors as target image generators utilizing mirrors and digital servomotors for image manipulation.

It is noted in the above disclosures, the prior art teaches various devices requiring sophisticated computer systems or TV cameras and projectors with cams and servo-motors and moveable mirrors to accomplish the objective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention consists of the combination of a laser projector attached to a oscillating device by an adjustable bracket which emits a laser beam presentation or a plurality of laser beam presentations which originate at differing angles, curved or arched, or falling like real life birds, skeet, traps or sporting clays.

The laser projector is capable of emitting a single or plurality of laser beam configurations activated by a voice command or in a continuous loop. The laser projector is attached to an oscillator device by an adjustable bracket causing a pendulum like movement of the laser projector. The adjustable bracket permits a plurality of positions and angles of the laser projector on the oscillator. The varying angles and heights of the laser projector positioned on the oscillator causes unpredictable laser beam presentations simulating the flights of real life targets as mentioned above. In the preferred embodiment the oscillating device is driven by a motor mechanism.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a system that provides improved moving targets which simulate real life conditions.

It is a major object of this invention to provide a system that is user friendly at a minimal manufacturing and operating cost which is inexpensive and fully effective in accomplishing the intended purposes.

It is a major object of this invention to provide a system that may be use anywhere without requiring special facilities.

It is a major object of this invention to provide a system for training in the proper leading of a moveable target for striking the target.

It is major object of this invention to provide an unpredictable laser beam presentation simulating real life sporting targets and real life conditions.

It is a major object of this invention to provide a system that does not require complex multiple computer systems or TV cameras.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. is a view in perspective of the laser target simulating device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2. is a top perspective of the bracket assembly of the laser target simulating device.

FIG. 3. is a side perspective of the bracket assembly of the laser target simulating device

FIG. 4. is a view in perspective of the oscillator mechanism of the laser target simulating device.

FIG. 5. is a side perspective of the laser target simulating device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A laser target system (10) which emits a laser beam presentation that simulates real life moving targets, which are curved, arched, originating at different angles, and falling, simulating skeets, traps, and sporting pigeon's targets or driven overhead birds in sport gun shooting.

It is illustrated in FIG. 1, the laser target system (10) consisting of the combination of a laser projector (20) mounted to an inverted L-shaped arm (45) driven by an oscillator device (30). The laser projector (20) is attached to a L-shaped arm (45) in communication with the oscillating device (30) by an adjustable bracket (40).

Depicted in FIG. 5 the laser projector (20) is preferably rectangular shape containing an optic package (22) for emission of a laser beam or plurality of laser beams. The laser projector device (20) is activated by a voice command or automatically set for the emission of a laser beam in a continuous loop. The laser projector device (20) is capable of projecting laser beams at varying speed settings.

Oscillator device (30) is preferably operated by a motor device with an electrical component. Oscillator device (30) consists of the inverted L-shaped arm (45) that moves in a pendulum type motion when activated by oscillator device (30). The laser projector (20) in communication with the oscillator device (30), moving in the pendulum like motion by L-shaped arm (45), forwards and backwards, causes the emission of a curved or arched laser beam presentation from the optic package (22).

FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are illustrative of the adjustable bracket (40) which attaches laser projector (20) to the oscillator device (30). Adjustable bracket (40) consists of a first u-shaped bracket having a base (50) which attaches to a lateral extending plate (48) of L-shaped arm (45) by a first wing nut attachment means (52) for quick and easy assembly and dissembly.

The first u-shaped bracket further consisting of a pair of extensions (55) extending upwards from opposing ends of base (50). The adjustable bracket (40) further consisting of a second u-shaped bracket inversely positioned in direct alignment with the first u-shaped bracket having a top (70) and pair of downwardly extending extensions (58) from opposing ends of top (70). Upright extending extensions (55) and downward extending extensions (58) interlock at their distal ends and are attached by a pivoting locking means (60). The top (70) of second u-shaped bracket extends beyond the position of the downward extending extensions (58) at a first end with a cut-out configuration.

Illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 key shaped connector plate (80) is attached to the laser projector (20) on a bottom side by a knob screw (82). Connector plate (80) is attached to top (70) of second u-shaped bracket at a second end by a hinged means (72).

An angular arm (75) having an inner channel along its length is attached to connector plate (80) at the key shaped end by a connector means (78). Angular arm (75) extends downwards through cut-out portion of top (70) and is attached by a second locking means (62) to a downward flap (65) at the cut-out portion of top (70).

Laser projector (20) can be moved to various lateral positions by means of the pivoting locking means (50) connecting opposing interlocking extensions (55) and (58). Laser projector (20) may be positioned at various heights and angles along the length of inner channel of the angular arm (75) and secured in the desired position by locking means (62).

FIG. 4 is illustrative of arm (45) in oscillating device (30) having a channel for the pendulum motion when activated by oscillating device (30). Arm (45) having a laterally extending plate (48) for connection to adjustable bracket (40) at base (50). Adjustable bracket (40) and arm (45) are attached by wing nut (52). Extending plate (48) contains a mounting pin (49) for communication with a hole in base (50) for secure attachment.

Having described preferred embodiments of anew and improved laser system target device, it is believed that other modifications, variations sod changes will be suggested to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings set forth herein. It is therefore to be understood that all such variations, modifications and changes are believed to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

It is claimed:
 1. A laser target simulating device comprising: a laser projecting device having a laser optic component contained within for emitting a single or multiple laser beam presentation; a oscillator device having an attachment arm in communication with the laser projecting device providing a pendulum-like motion; a adjustable bracket connecting the laser projecting device to the oscillator device, said adjustable bracket providing a means for multiple positioning of the laser projector device in communication with the oscillator device for emitting the laser beam presentation that is variable and non-linear formation.
 2. The laser target simulating device of claim 1 wherein the laser projecting device is activated by a voice sound.
 3. The laser target simulating device of claim 1 wherein the laser projecting device emits the laser beam presentation in a continuous loop.
 4. The laser target simulating device of claim 1 wherein the oscillator device further includes a power supply coupled with the oscillator device.
 5. The laser target simulating device of claim 1 wherein the adjustable bracket comprises: a first u-shaped bracket having a base affixed to the attachment and of the oscillator device, the base having a first and second upward extension at opposite ends of the base; a second u-shaped bracket inversely aligned with the first u-shaped bracket having a corresponding first and second downward extension originating from a top, the upward extensions of the first u-shape bracket interlock with the downward extensions by a pivot locking means for lateral positioning of the laser projecting device on the oscillating device, the top extending in length beyond the distal second downward extension having a cut-out portion with a downward extending flap; a connector plate attached to the laser projector device by an attachment means, the connector plate affixed to the lop of the second u-shaped bracket by a hinged attachment means at a first end, the connector plate further having a key shaped configuration at a second end, and; a angular member having a inner channel configuration attached to the key shaped configuration of the connector plate, the angular member extending downwards through the cut-out portion of the top of the second u-shaped bracket and affixed to the downward extending flap of the top by a securing means for positioning the laser projector device along the length of the inner channel. 